ROBERT Koren claims West Bromwich Albion's policy of major squad strengthening during the summer has paid dividends as the club's treatment room slowly empties.

The Baggies have come through their worst injury crisis of the season as Ishmael Miller, Martin Albrechtsen, James Morrison and Neil Clement prepare to join fit-again Kevin Phillips for first-team contention.

All five players were absent due to knee injuries but Albion's decision to run a large squad has been rewarded during a run of form which has seen them take top spot.

At the height of their injury nightmare, against Leicester, Albion were without nine first-team regulars.

Now, with the worst behind them, they can look forward to a near full squad for the first of their games during the festive period, Saturday's clash against Stoke.

Koren is pleased by how Albion have played during the absence of key men, notably strikers Phillips and Miller - replaced by Roman Bednar, who has scored five goals in as many games.

He feels the decision to sign 13 players during the summer was more than justified.

"I think everyone thought when Ish and Kev got injured the team would struggle," said the Slovenian midfielder.

"Roman jumped in and showed he is a great striker by scoring five in as many games. Beats (Craig Beattie) scored a winning goal at Leicester.

"Everyone needs to be ready because the season is long and we're only halfway through the season.

"There will probably be more injuries to come. So far we have been like a family and everyone has been ready.

"Everyone will get their chance. It doesn't matter who scores the goals, the most important thing is that we are doing well, winning games and that we stay near the top of the table."

Koren believes Albion must play to their own strengths to stand any chance of getting their first win at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

"I have played against them twice and we know how they play. They try to play tough football without mistakes," he added.

"They don't try to play the ball around so you can't wait for them to make mistakes because of trying to play too much football.

"They are focused on going straight to the strikers with long balls and pushing forward and we need to cope with that and think about ourselves. When we get the ball we need to play around and pass it." ..SUPL: